Russia threatens NATO with nuclear weapons if Kaliningrad isolation is attempted: the alliance condemns ‘irresponsible rhetoric’

Russia has warned NATO that it is ready to use nuclear weapons if the western alliance attempts to isolate Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, as Reuters reports.

The warning was made in an unofficial document (“non-paper”) sent to NATO, which the international news agency has seen. In the document, Moscow accuses the alliance of a “dangerous and irresponsible course” that carries a “high risk of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict.” The document also mentions the possibility of “Russian strikes against decision-making centers in alliance member states at the very start of a conflict.”

The document is quoted verbatim: “Russia will be ready to use the entire arsenal of forces and means at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries undertake any attempt to isolate the Kaliningrad Region from the rest of the country.”

Beyond the private warning, Russian embassies in at least three European countries have issued statements over the past three days accusing NATO of escalating tensions through military exercises and scenarios involving Kaliningrad. Moscow denies western accusations that it poses a threat to Europe and says it has no intention of attacking NATO countries, but warns that any aggression against Kaliningrad will receive the strongest possible response.

The new warnings show a sharp rise in tension between Russia and European countries, which accuse Moscow of intensifying “hybrid warfare” on the continent through sabotage and arson. Kaliningrad is a heavily militarized Russian territory wedged between Poland and Lithuania — both NATO members.